How Fast Is a Space Station?

Space stations go much faster than you think--literally. Like any object in low Earth orbit, the International Space Station speeds around the Earth at 17,500 miles per hour (28,000 km/h). That's about 5 miles (8 km) per second. The crew aboard circles the Earth in 90 minutes and sees the sun rise and set 16 times each day.

That's much faster than the electrical signals that speed around your nerves. In fact, the signals that move between your brain and muscles don't go faster than 270 miles per hour (435 km/h). The signals involved in thinking and reading move even slower. Mercifully, pain signals travel slower still.

Members, read this article now

Get it as an easy-print PDF